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'''Old Calendarists''' are groups of Orthodox Christians who are in various levels oppose the use of "resistance" against the mainstream Revised Julian liturgical calendar (a calendar with similarities to the Gregorian, combined with the Orthodox churches, identified mainly by their insistence on Paschalion) in the early 20th century to the extent of breaking or limiting Communion with those Orthodox who use of the Revised Julian Calendarcalendar. They are to be distinguished from Citing the mainstream churches which simply follow 16th-century anathemas against the [[Julian Calendar]] yet remain Gregorian calendar issued by three Patriarchal and Pan-Orthodox Synods in [[full communion]] with Constantinople, as well as various condemnations by multiple local synods, they have become some of the most or all vocal critics not only of the new liturgical calendar, but of world Orthodoxy. Many Old Calendarists today say that their concerns about [[ecumenism]] are more significant than calendar issues. The mainstream churches have varying positions on different Old Calendarist churchesin general, ranging from an active desire to restore unity to a denial which is seen as the ultimate cause of the Old Calendarists' Orthodoxy. Some Old Calendarist groups are styled as '''True Orthodox''' or '''Genuine Orthodox''', and both terms are used in this article. Some may also style themselves '''Traditionalist Orthodox'''calendar revision.{{TOCright}}

====The Florinite/Matthewite schism====By In 1920, the 1940sPatriarchal Locum Tenens, two parties had formed within Dorotheus of Prusa, issued the Church Encyclical "Unto the Churches of GreeceChrist Everywhere"<ref>[http: //incommunion.org/?p=142]</ref>, which officially marked the [[Florinites]] (under Metropolitan [[Chrysostom entrance of Florina]]) and Orthodox participation in the Ecumenical Movement. (See [[MatthewitesEcumenism]] (under Bp. [[Matthew of Bresthena]]). The issue had been Encyclical, tied to the formerformation of the League of Nations and with that end in mind, gave eleven suggestions so "'s vacillation on whether 'that above all, love should be rekindled and strengthened among the mysteries churches, so that they should no more consider one another as strangers and foreigners, but as relatives, and as being a part of the State Church were still grace-filled. Both sides had their respective justifications for their positionshousehold of Christ and “fellow heirs, members of the same body and both were violently persecuted by partakers of the statepromise of God in Christ” (Eph. 3:6). ''" (par. 6.) The Matthewites were holding a more consistently applied position. That they labelled first of the suggestions was "''By the Florinites as acceptance of a whole as opportunists who were trying to ingratiate themselves with the state was unfortunate, and not altogether true uniform calendar for the followers celebration of Metropolitan Chrysostom, and so the parties became psychologically distinctgreat Christian feasts at the same time by all the churches.''"

In the end1921, a real physical division council was formedcalled in Athens, whereas a real doctrinal division ended: Bishop Matthew singlehandedly consecrated another bishop, and together they made more new bishops. After the death led by Metropolitan [[Germanos of Bishop MatthewDemetrias]], however, Chrysostom of Florina reaffirmed the decision Vice-President of 1935 declaring the New Calendar State Church as Holy Synod, deposing Archbishop [[schismMeletios_IV_(Metaxakis)_of_Constantinople|Meletios (Metaxakis)]]atic. (The reasons of Athens, who had previously known for this are unclearecumenical activity, and speculations give various answersfor recognizing the revolutionary Venizelos government in Greece.) In any case Meletios was recognized as Patriarch of Constantinople on November 21, 1921, where he began his programs anew, though previously his candidacy was declined by the Matthewites proceeded to elect Archbishop Agathagelos to the rank of Primate Holy Synod of Athens Constantinople in 19581912.

We will deal first with In 1923, a "Pan-Orthodox Congress" (not a normal term for any Orthodox meeting of hierarchs) was held under the presidency of Meletios composed of members, specifically six Bishops, two laymen, and an archimandrite, of a few of the local Churches (none of the major divisions members of the FlorinitesPentarchy save Constantinople sent representatives). [[Anastasy (Gribanovsky) of Kishinev|Metropolitan Anastassy]] of the Russian Church Abroad attended its initial meeting, since their divisions have generally having been larger in the area. He declared that the Synod had given him no instructions on the matter and soon departed. In total, less than half of the local Churches were represented by anyone.<ref>http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/photii_2.aspx Bishop Photii of Triaditsa, "The 70th Anniversary of the Pan-Orthodox Congress", Orthodox Life, 1&2, 1994</ref> The purpose of the meeting was to implement the suggestions of the 1920 document, along with other proposals that were largely rejected, such as the elevation of married men to the Episcopate and the remarriage of widowed priests (sessions three and more permanent four). Representatives of the Anglican Church were present at the final meetings, specifically former Bishop Gore of Oxford. At these meetings, it was decided that nothing stood in the way of Orthodox-Anglican ecclesiastical union. In response, a five-member commission in natureGreece (of whom then Archimandrite, later Archbishop, Chrysostom Papadopolous of Athens) determined to study the question of the use of the New Calendar and then found that "''Not a single one of them [local Orthodox Churches] can separate from the others and adopt the New Calendar without becoming schismatic in relation to the others.''"<ref>''Journal of the Government of the MatthewitesGreek Kingdom'', chapter 1, 24/25. 1. 1923, No. 8, see also ''OEM'', 1989, Chapter 17, p. 73, as noted in [http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/photii_2.aspx]</ref>

==Greece==Divisions within the Florinites====After the death of Metropolitan Chrysostom, the Florinites had no bishops, and Metropolitan Chrysostom advised his flock to go under the protection of the Matthewite bishops. Fearing the repercussions, however, the Florinites opted to seek a new hierarchy and appealed to Bishops of the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]] to help them. In 1960, Archimandrite Akakios Pappas was made a bishop with the title of Bishop of Talantion for these communities without the official blessing of the ROCOR Synod by [http://www.roca.org/life_of_archbishop_seraphim.htm Archbishop Seraphim of Chicago] and Bp. Theophilos Ionescu, a Romanian New Calendar Bishop under the ROCOR. The following year, the ROCOR elected and ordained Archimandrite Petros Astyfides as Bishop of Astoria in order to serve as archpastor of the Greek Old Calendarist immigrant communities in the United States and Canada. Later Bp. Akakios of Talantion and Archbishop Leonty of Chile (ROCOR) ordained five more bishops in Greece. Thus in 1961, Akakios of Talantion became the new First-Hierarch of the restored Florinite Synod. He died, however, in 1963. The Synod thus proceeded to elect Auxentios Pastras, Bishop of Gardikion, to be their new leader as Archbishop of Athens. The ROCOR under Metropolitan Philaret eventually recognized the validity of the secret consecrations in 1969.

All ====The True Orthodox Church of Greece====[[Image:1925cr1.jpg|thumb|110px|An artist's rendering of the current divisions appearance of the Florinites come from one Sign of the groups below:Cross near Athens, 1925]]

'''The Auxentios Synod''': The First Florinite Synod In 1924, the [[bishop]]s of the True Orthodox [[Church of Greece was fraught with problems by the 1970s]], and two major separations occurred during the lifetime of under Archbishop Auxentios. However, few doubt that Archbishop Auxentios himself was of a saintly character, albeit a poor bishop. Recently there have been attempts to rehabilitate his memory Chrysostom (Archbishop Auxentios died in 1994Papadopoulos); most of his synod, barely held together by implemented the 1980s, dissolved after his death into calendar change discussed at the three jurisdictions listed below"Pan-Orthodox Congress" of 1923. In 1986response, Auxentios was removed from the Archdiocese Metropolitan [[Germanos of Athens and the leadership of the Old Calendar Church of Greece by a majority the Florinite bishops on account of a series of controversial episcopal ordinations conducted Demetrias]], retired in the early 1980s with his apparent censentprotest. Having the support of the dissenting minority of bishops, Auxentios proceeded The "Old Calendarist" movement arose to re-form his Synod. He died in 1994, having failed to reconcile with oppose the rest adoption of the Florinite Synod, under Chrysostom KiousisRevised Julian calendar. The remaining parishes movement was sustained by Athonite monks that encouraged the rejection of the Auxentios Synodcalendar change, however, elected Archbishop Maximos hundreds of Kephalonia parish clergy that refused to recognize the throne calendar change, as well as dozens of Athens on monasteries throughout Greece. Lay groups and [[January 7brotherhoods]], 1995. In North America and Europe, the parishes loyal formed to Auxentios under keep the American Bishops organized around Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Boston (see HOCNA), left use of the Synod[[Julian calendar]] alive, and elected Makarios of Toronto as locum tenens of the see of Athensdespite state persecution.

'''[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Florinite)|The Chrysostomite Synod]]''': Amidst charges of maladministrationIn 1925, perhaps the majority of most well-known phenomenon in the Florinite synod chose in 1986 Old Calendar movement occurred: a new leader large cross over an secret Old Calendar Church in Archbishop Chrysostom (Kiousis), who demonstrated rather effectively that 1925 during the feast of the True Orthodox in Greece were a force to be reckoned with. Choosing to take on exaltation of the Greek legal systemHoly Cross, court cases were held where it was demonstrated that the Old Calendarists of Greece were not schismatics. Though their public reputation had been tarnished over nearly witnessed by approximately two decades of divisionsthousand people, their legal existence was, and is presently, safe. The synod of Chrysostom of Athens is today including police intent on arresting the largest synod clergy of the True Orthodox Church group, many of Greecewhom converted that night.<ref>[http://www.orthodox.net/articles/cross-in-athens.html]</ref>

'''The [[Holy Synod in Resistance|Synod-in-Resistance]] of Metropolitan Cyprian In 1935, after more than 10 years, three Metropolitans, Germanos of Fili''': While this church's official [[ecclesiology]] is peculiarDemetrias, the amount of work that former Metropolitan Cyprian of Fili and his synod have done to assist True Orthodox throughout the world is impressiveFlorina, Chrysostom (Kavouridis) and must be noted. The church itself is rather small, but has been very effective in presenting intellectual arguments against the New Calendar State Church. It is headed by another defector from the Auxentios Synod, Cyprian Chrysostomos (KoutsoumbasDemetriou) of Fili, and holds an ecclesiology Zakynthos declared the Archbishop of “sick" and “healthy" churches, thus avoiding the repercussions that inevitably follow referring to the majority Athens as subject to a schismatic body. Their ecclesiology is considered heretical by the more rigorist elements of the True Orthodox who have been influenced by Matthewite positions.and declared:

'''[[Genuine Orthodox "Those who now administer the Church of Greece (Lamian Synod)|The Synod have divided the unity of Orthodoxy through the calendar innovation, and have split the Greek Orthodox People into two opposing calendar parts. They have not only violated an Ecclesiastical Tradition which was consecrated by the Seven Ecumenical Councils and sanctioned by the age-old practice of Archbishop Makarios the Eastern Orthodox Church, but have also touched the Dogma of Athens (Lamian Synod)]]''': In 1995the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Therefore those who now administer the Greek Church have, by their unilateral, a resistance faction anticanonical and unthinking introduction of six bishops formed within the synod Gregorian calendar, cut themselves off completely from the trunk of Chrysostom (Kiousis) Orthodoxy, and separated itself over what they claimed have declared themselves to be a series in essence schismatics in relation to the Orthodox Churches which stand on the foundation of canonical infractionsthe Seven Ecumenical Councils and the Orthodox laws and Traditions, headed by Metropolitan Kallinikos of Lamia. The charges related to the trial Churches of Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Euthymios (Orphanos)Jerusalem, Antioch, Serbia, who had been charged with moral infractionsPoland, the Holy Mountain and the election God-trodden Mountain of Bishop Vikentios (Malamatenios) Sinai, etc....That this is so was confirmed by the Commission made up of Avlona as Metropolitan the best jurists and theologian-professors of Peiraeus. By early 1997, the bishops headed by Kallinikos of Lamia had fragmented into three groupsNational University which was appointed to study the calendar question, and one of which reconciled with whose members happened to be his Blessedness the Archbishop Chrysostom (Kiousis)of Athens in his then capacity as professor of Church History in the National University. A second group, Paisios Loulourgas (Met. of America) and Vikentios Malamatenios (titular Bp. Since his Beatitude the Archbishop of Avlona)Athens has by his own signature declared himself to be a Schismatic, submitted what need do we have of witnesses to demonstrate that he and the Ecumenical Patiarchate. Later hierarchs who think like him have become Schismatics, in that same year, Kallinikos they have split the unity of Lamia Orthodoxy through the calendar innovation and divided the Ecclesiastical and Euthymios ethnic soul of Thessaloniki proceeded to ordain five the Greek Orthodox People?"''<ref>[[bishop|titular bishop]http://www.orthodoxchristianbooks.com/downloads/92_NEW_ZION_IN_BABYLON_PART_3.pdf]s Cited in an attempt to create a new synod. In 2003Moss, they finally decided to elect a primate''New Zion in Babylon'', and elected Makarios (Kavakides) of Athens. A good deal of their membership was then lostPart 3, as many who did not see themselves as separate from the Kiousis synod were forced to decide between the twop.92</ref>

====Divisions within From April 23rd to April 26th 1935 the Matthewites====For all ordination of four new bishops took place. Ordained were the negative press the Matthewites have received over the years due to the strictness Archmandrites: Germanos (Barikopoulos) as Bishop of Kyklades, Christoforos (Hatzis) as Bishop of their positionMegaris, their church has been strangely free from long lasting schisms. Only two separations are worthy Polycarp (Liosis) as Bishop of note from the main bodyDiavleia, and while they had Bishop Matthew (Karpathakes) of Bresthena).<ref>[http://www.hotca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71:the potential to destroy -change-in-the unity that exists within -calendar-of-the Matthewite True Orthodox Church -church-of Greece, they did not.-greece&catid=23:goc-history&Itemid=71]</ref>

====The first Primate Florinite/Matthewite schism====By the 1940s, two parties had formed within the Church of Athens selected by Greece: the [[Florinites]] (under Metropolitan [[Chrysostom (Kavourides) of Florina]]) and the [[Matthewites was Agathangelos ]] (under Bp. [[Matthew (Karpathakis) of Athens, who reposed Bresthena]]). The schism originated in 1967. Andreas Metropolitan Chrysostom's hesitation to consider the mysteries of Athensthe State Church as graceless, one whereas the adherents of Bishop Matthew (the original three bishops made, was elected to "Matthewites") maintained the primacy in 1972; unitl his death in 2005 he rigorist position: that State Church was one of the oldest schismatic and longest-reigning of Orthodox bishops in the worldtherefore graceless.

'''[[True Orthodox Church of Greece (Matthewite)|The Synod of Archbishop Nicholas]]''': In February1948, 2003Bishop Matthew singlehandedly consecrated another bishop, Archbishop Andreas of Athens retiredand together they made more new bishops, furthering the rift and Archbishop Nicholas of Athens, considered by causing many former Matthewite clergy to have a progressive vision for join ranks with the Florintes. After the Matthewite churchdeath of Bishop Matthew, however, was electedChrysostom of Florina reaffirmed the decision of 1935 declaring the New Calendar State Church as [[schism]]atic. Extremely popular with younger Matthewites, Archbishop Nicholas seems generally poised The declaration had as its motivation to keep heal the Matthewite synod unitedschism. HoweverNonetheless, it has been advanced that the irenic gesture went unheeded and the Matthewites proceeded to elect Archbishop Andreas retired Agathagelos to the rank of Primate of Athens in violation of the canons1958.

'''''The Kirykite factionFlorinites'''': Not a schism proper, Metropolitan Kirykos and two other bishops of the synod refused to recognize the retirement of Archbishop Andreas or the enthronement of the new Archbishop, but continued to remain a member of the Synod of Archbishop Nicholas. The risk of schism exists, but is small&mdash;one of Kyrikos' vocal supporters have since died; another Matthewite Bishop of the Synod has passed on recently in Metr Gorgonios, and there were rumors he too supported Metropolitan Kirykos.

'''After the death of Metropolitan Chrysostom, the Florinites had no bishops, and Metropolitan Chrysostom advised his flock to go under the protection of the Matthewite bishops. Fearing the repercussions, however, the Florinites opted to seek a new hierarchy and appealed to Bishops of the [[Genuine Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]] to help them. In 1960, Archimandrite Akakios Pappas was made a bishop with the title of Bishop of Talantion for these communities without the official blessing of Greece the ROCOR Synod by Archbishop [[Seraphim (MatthewiteIvanov)|The Gregorian Synodof Chicago]]'''<ref>[http: Under the primacy //www.roca.org/life_of_archbishop_seraphim.htm]</ref> and Bishop [[Theophilus (Ionescu) of Andreas of AthensSèvres|Theophilus (Ionescu)]], there were virtually no divisions in an anti-communist Romanian bishop under the Matthewites until 1995ROCOR, when Metropolitan Gregory of Messinia separated with a small majority of whose parishes followed the synod (five versus four)new calendar. The following year, ostensibly over the issue ROCOR elected and ordained Archimandrite Petros Astyfides as Bishop of Astoria in order to serve as archpastor of the "God Greek Old Calendarist immigrant communities in the Father" United States and Canada. Later Bishop Akakios of Talantion and Archbishop [[iconLeontius (Filipovich) of Chile]] and the related issues <ref>[http://users.sisqtel.net/williams/archbishopleonty.html]</ref> of Western-style icons ROCOR ordained five more bishops in generalGreece. HoweverThus in 1961, with Akakios of Talantion became the deaths new First-Hierarch of three of their bishopsthe restored Florinite Synod. He died, however, the remaining two splitin 1963. The Synod thus proceeded to elect Auxentios Pastras, one remaining completely alone from the eldest hierarchBishop of Gardikion, and to be their new leader as Archbishop of Athens. The ROCOR under Metropolitan Philaret recognized the with Gregorios validity of Messinia naming three more bishops (Abramios, Pavlos, and Nectarios)the consecrations in 1969.

For all intents ''Divisions within the Florinites'' The Restored Florinite Synod of the True Orthodox Church of Greece was fraught with problems by the 1970s, and purposestwo major separations occurred during the lifetime of Archbishop Auxentios. However, it would appear few doubt that Archbishop Auxentios himself was of a saintly character, albeit a poor bishop. Recently there are still only have been attempts to rehabilitate his memory (Archbishop Auxentios died in 1994); most of his synod, barely held together by the 1980s. In 1979, two actual Matthewite synodsFlorinite Metropolitans, Kallistos of Corinth and Antonios of Attica, unilaterally consecrated seven Archimandrites to the episcopacy in an attempt to counteract the irregularities they perceived in the administration of Archbishop Auxentios. This led to the formation of the short-lived '''Kallistite Synod''', most of whose members reconciled themselves with the main body of the Florinite Synod by 1985.

====Other groupings====There was once a list posted '''[[Genuine Orthodox Church of over 30 True Greece (Florinite)|The Genuine Orthodox Greek Churches. This is in fact an unrealistic number. The number comes Church of Greece]]''': In 1986, Archbishop Auxentios was removed from an Old Internet listing the Archdiocese of Bishops Athens and Synods, some the leadership of the Old Calendar Church of whom had no followingGreece. The Florinite Synod chose in 1986 a new leader in Archbishop Chrysostom (Kiousis), and had one, if any Bishopwho demonstrated rather effectively that the True Orthodox in Greece were a force to be reckoned with. A demented compilation designed Choosing to confuse as well as [[convert]]take on the Greek legal system, this infamous list indicated even temporary unions as existing jurisdictions. As well, even the Moscow Patriarchate court cases were held where it was involved in demonstrated that the formation Old Calendarists of one Greece were not schismatics. Though their public reputation had been tarnished over nearly two decades of these Bishops (Joachim Souris)divisions, their legal existence was, and so is presently, safe. The synod of Archbishop Chrysostom of Athens represents today the author is limiting main body of the discussion to True Orthodox Churches with actual memberships Church of Greece. IN 2010, Archbishop Chrysostomos fell asleep in the Lord and hierarchies-- in other words, actual Churcheswas succeeded by Archbishop Kallinikos (Sarantopoulos).

===Russia=======Inside Russia====With '''The Auxentios Synod''': Archbishop Auxentios was removed in 1986 by the Declaration Florinite Synod on account of a series of Metropolitan Sergius controversial episcopal ordinations conducted in 1927the early 1980s with his apparent consent. Having the support of the dissenting minority of bishops, Orthodox bishops Auxentios proceeded to form a counter Synod. He died in Russia began 1994, having failed to apply [[Ukaz Noreconcile with the Florinite Synod under Archbishop Chrysostom. 362]] The remaining parishes of the Auxentios Synod, however, elected Archbishop Maximos of Patriarch StKephalonia as president in 1995. [[Tikhon However, after a series of questionable ordinations and maladministration by Archbishop Maximos, the Auxentios Synod dissolved in the mid 1990's. In 2006, clergy and a bishop (Metropolitan Athanasios of Larissa) from the Auxentios Synod reconciled themselves with the main body of Moscow|Tikhon]] the Old Calendar Church in Greece and were admitted into the Synod of Archbishop Chrysostom. In North America, the parishes loyal to Auxentios under the American Bishops organized around Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Boston (HOCNA), left the Synod, and became administratively independent until such time elected Makarios of Toronto as they could operate freelylocum tenens of the see of Athens. Since 2008, HOCNA has been in a cordial dialogue with the Synod of Archbishop Chrysostom in hope of establishing closer ties.

Ukaz No'''The [[Holy Synod in Resistance|Synod-in-Resistance]] of Metropolitan Cyprian of Fili''': The Synod in Resistance has its origins in the short-lived Kallistite Synod of 1979-1985. 362 was written While its official [[ecclesiology]] is peculiar, the amount of work that Metropolitan Cyprian of Fili and his synod have done to preserve assist the True Orthodox Church of Greece throughout the world is impressive, and must be noted. The church itself is rather small, but has been very effective in times presenting intellectual arguments against the Church of persecution so that the Churches could surviveGreece. It gives is headed by another defector from the bishops Auxentios Synod, Cyprian (Koutsoumbas) of the Russian ChurchFili, temporarilyand holds an ecclesiology of “sick" and “healthy" churches, thus avoiding the right repercussions that inevitably follow referring to self-govern apart from each other until such time the majority as they can organizesubject to a schismatic body. It Their ecclesiology is considered heretical by some to be a masterpiece of self-preservation in a time where the rules more rigorist elements of canonical order could not be followed to the letter due to True Orthodox, although they were condemned on an ecclesiological basis by the difficulty Synod of travel Archbishop Chrysostom of Athens in 1986. In 2008, the Synod in Resistance and so forththe Synod of Archbishop Chrysostom met for a number of high-profile meetings in the hope of developing closer ties.<ref>[http://www.synodinresistance.org/Administration_en/E1a4028AnakoinosisDialogoy2-08.pdf]</ref>

'''[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Lamian Synod)|The number Makarian (Lamian) Synod]]''': In 1995, a resistance faction of six bishops formed within the synod of catacomb churches in Russia is Chrysostom (Kiousis) and separated itself over what they claimed to be a series of canonical infractions, headed by Metropolitan Kallinikos (Hatzis) of Lamia. The charges related to date fairly largethe trial of Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Euthymios (Orphanos), who had been charged with moral infractions, and even today no the election of Bishop Vikentios (Malamatenios) of Avlona as Metropolitan of Peiraeus. By early 1997, the movement had fragmented into three groups, one knows where all of them arewhich reconciled with Archbishop Chrysostom (Kiousis). A second group, Paisios Loulourgas (Met. of America) and Vikentios Malamatenios (titular Bp. The history of Avlona), submitted to the different catacomb Ecumenical Patiarchate. Later that same year, Kallinikos of Lamia and Euthymios of Thessaloniki proceeded to ordain five [[episcopatebishop|titular bishop]]s since 1927 is still not completely documentedin an attempt to create a new synod. There are also questions as In 2003, they finally decided to the legitimacy elect a primate, and elected Makarios (Kavakides) of certain catacomb bishopsAthens. Sadly A good deal of their membership was then lost, these questions will have as many who did not see themselves as separate from the Kiousis synod were forced to be determined by a future all-Russian Councildecide between the two.

===='''''The True ("Free") Russian Orthodox Church and its divisions====In 1990, ROCOR had announced that a bishop had secretly been consecrated to assist the believers in Russia (Bishop Varnava of Cannes), who then proceeded, with the blessing of the Synod, to make more bishops for Russia, the most prominent being Bishop Valentine of Suzdal and Lazarus of Tambov.Matthewites'''''

'''[[Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church|The Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church]]''': The Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church (ROAC) is by far For all the negative press the Matthewites have received over the largest of years due to the Russian True Orthodox Churches, with hundreds strictness of parishes in Russia and abroadtheir position, and also one their church has been strangely free from long lasting schisms. Only two separations are worthy of note from the most controversial. Headed by Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal main body, and Vladimir, while they had the synod has twelve bishops and is enjoying a period of intense persecution on potential to destroy the part of unity that exists within the [[Matthewite True Orthodox Church of Russia|state church]]Greece, they did not. One bishop, Gregory (George/Abu Asaly) The first Primate of Athens selected by the Matthewites was Agathangelos of ColoradoAthens, recently parted ways with the ROAC synod after having been both canonically retired and excommunicated. He initially took 2 parishes who reposed in America with him but they have now left him along with most of his monastics and parishioners1967. His group is Andreas of Athens, one of the self-styled the '''[[Genuine Orthodox Church of America]]'''^{[http://www.gocamerica.org/]} (Not original three bishops made, was elected to be confused with the newly autonomous Genuine Greek Orthodox Church primacy in 1972; unitl his death in America headed by Metropolitan Pavlos 2005 he was one of Astoria that is in communion with its mother Church, the GOC headed by Archbishop Chrysostomos II.) Gregory oldest and his believers numbering longest-reigning of Orthodox bishops in the teens believes himself to be the last bishop left in Americaworld.

''Divisions within the Matthewites'[[Russian True-Orthodox Church (Lazarus)|The True Russian Orthodox Church]]''': Bp. Lazarus of Tambov, himself well-known in Russia, rejoined the ROCOR after the Free Russian Orthodox Church broke communion with ROCOR then later left again after the formation of Metropolitan Vitaly's [[Russian Orthodox Church in Exile]] (ROCOR-V). He and Bishop Benjamin of Kuban consecrated a new set of bishops and currently have a couple dozen parishes in Russia.

====Russian '''[[True Orthodoxy today====Today the situation is considerably clearer than it was 20 years ago; many Orthodox Church of Greece (Matthewite)|The Synod of the groups that exist today have either been merged into other jurisdictions or have formed smallArchbishop Nicholas]]''': In February, 2003, independent groupsArchbishop Andreas of Athens retired, administratively separate from the rest and Archbishop Nicholas of Athens, considered by many to have a progressive vision for the Matthewite church, was elected. Much of their current history is tied together Extremely popular with ROCORyounger Matthewites, as most of Archbishop Nicholas seems generally poised to keep the original Catacomb bishops had Matthewite synod united. However, it has been killed during state persecutions or died advanced that Archbishop Andreas retired in hidingviolation of the canons.

====Outside Russia===='''[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Matthewite)|The History Gregorian Synod]]''': Under the primacy of Andreas of Athens, there were virtually no divisions in the Russian church outside Russia is best summarized by St. Matthewites until 1995, when Metropolitan Gregory of Messinia separated with a small majority of the synod (five versus four), ostensibly over the issue of the "God the Father" [[John Maximovitch|John (Maximovitch)icon]]and the related issues of Western-style icons in general. However, Archbishop with the deaths of three of Shanghai their bishops, the remaining two split, one remaining completely alone from the eldest hierarch, and San Fransiscothe with Gregorios of Messinia naming three more bishops (Abramios, Pavlos, who reposed in 1966:and Nectarios).

'''[[Genuine Orthodox Church (Matthewite)|The Synod of Metropolitan Kirykos]]''':In November Originally not a schism proper, Metropolitan Kirykos and two other bishops of 1921 in Sremsky-Karlovtsy in Yugoslavia the first Sobor abroad was held, in which in addition synod refused to 24 bishops, representatives recognize the retirement of Archbishop Andreas or the clergy and laity took part. Being thus the voice enthronement of all Russians who had succeeded in leaving the Soviet authoritynew Archbishop, the Sobor considered itself obligated but continued to express its opinion regarding remain a member of the situation Synod of Archbishop Nicholas. Finally, in Russia2005, after several attempts, where all the rest Synod of the population Abp Nicholas endeavored to depose Metropolitan Kirykos, who has since added five Bishops to his Synod in a number of countries.<ref>[http://genuineorthodoxchurch.com/ The Genuine Orthodox Church of Russia was languishing Greece under the oppression Omophorion of Metropolitan Kirykos of that authority. The Sobor appealed to the Genoa Conference with the request not to support the Bolshevik regime Mesogaias and to help the Russian people to become free of itLavreotikis].</ref>

Thus was formed the ==Romania======[[Russian Old Calendar Orthodox Church of Romania|The True Orthodox Church Outside Russiaof Romania]] (ROCOR)====In 1924, Metropolitan Miron of the Church of Romania introduced the New Calendar for use in the Church. Although most Romanians accepted the change, the skete of the Protection of the Theotokos in northern Moldavia rejected it. In 1925, led by Hieromonk Glicherie, which heldsome of the brethren left the skete to start an Old Calendarist group. When, until recentlyin 1926 and 1929, Metropolitan Miron ordered Pascha to be celebrated according to the banner Gregorian Paschalion, a large number of faithful, including Russian émigrés, left the Church of Romania and joined the Old Calendarists. By 1936, the Old Calendarists numbered about 40 parishes. Beginning in 1935, at the order of Metropolitan Miron, the Old Calendarists were under persecution. By 1940, ten Old Calendarist priests had died in prison, and all of the Old Calendar churches had been shut down. Hieromonk Glicherie was imprisoned, but, at the beginning of World War II, released. By 1950, with the release of Hmk Glicherie and other priests from prison, many of the churches were rebuilt. In 1955, Metropolitan Galaktion left the Church of Romania to serve the Old Calendarists, and immediately ordained new priests and deacons. However, he was soon arrested, and placed under house arrest in Bucharest. While under house arrest, Metropolitan Galaktion consecrated three other bishops, including Hmk Glicherie, who, in 1957, became the Metropolitan of the True Orthodox Church of Romania. Since 1980, the Synod has been in full communion with the Synod of the True Orthodoxy outside Orthodox Church of Greece presided by Metropolitan Kallistos of Corinth, then with the Holy Synod in Resistance presided by Metropolitan Cyprian of Fili. The Synod also maintains communion with the Old Calendar Orthodox Church of Bulgaria, headed by Bishop Photii. From 1994 to 2007 there was full communion with the Russian territoryOrthodox Church outside Russia (ROCOR), but with the rapprochement between the ROCOR and the Moscow Patriarchate, communion with the ROCOR was severed.

==Bulgaria==Divisions within Russia abroad==== The Russian Church Abroad majority of the faithful are in communion with the Synod in Resistance (ROCOR) enjoyed relative stability until after the death of see "Metropolitan Philaret Cyprian of New York (+1985Fili" above) and is currently in the process Romanian Old Calendar Orthodox Church, but are an autonomous Church - The Old Calendar Orthodox Church of uniting with Moscow. Since the death of Metropolitan Philaret (regarded as Bulgaria - and comprise a [[saint]] by many Old Calendarists), three major groupings few dozen parishes under Bishop Photii of True Orthodox Churches can be categorizedTriaditsa.

'''[[Holy Orthodox Church in North America|=Ecclesiastical status=The Holy Orthodox Church in North America]]''': In 1986, after the monks of Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Brookline, MA were accused of moral crimes ecclesiastical and called to spiritual court. The entire New England Deanery of ROCOR, with the exception of one priest, had repeatedly asked for a canonical investigation status of the trustworthiness of the persons making the moral accusations for a period of 11 months.[[http://www.homb.org/archives/Clergy%20Letter,%20Sept.%2016-29,%201986various Old Calendarist jurisdictions is complex.pdf]] These same clergy had also expressed concerns over violations of Some regard themselves as being the Anathema Against Ecumenism which all only true Orthodox Christians and thus view the bishops of ROCOR had signed mainstream Orthodox Church as being in 1983.[[http://www.homb.org/archives/November%208.pdfapostasy]] . Several days before the monks were called to spiritual court [[http://www.homb.org/archives/Dec.%209As such,%201986.pdf]] they left do not share either communion or concelebration with the ROCOR [[http://wwwmainstream churches.homb.org/archives/Departure%20from%20ROCOR%20Letter.pdf]] and were received by Metopolitan Akakios and Metropolitan Gabriel Other Old Calendarists (typically those "in resistance") have suspended concelebrations with mainstream clergy, two bishops who had not attended but will still commune the Synod meetings faithful of Archbishop Auxentios because of various administrative problemsmainstream jurisdictions. The monks had lost confidence that the bishops would be unbiased since they were receiving testimony from witnesses that cannot make accusations against They thus see themselves as a clergyman according to reform movement within the Sacred Canons (see above)Orthodox Church. Several weeks later approximately one-thirteenth The question of canonicity follows much the North American parishes same sort of the ROCOR and one-sixth of the clergy, following Holy Transfiguration Monastery's example, also went under Metropolitans Akakios and Gabrielpatterns.

Later, when cooperation ceased between Metropolitans Akakios and Gabriel in 1997, Views from the clergy of HOCNA asked to be received directly under the then allegedly deposed Archbishop Auxentios. Although the Synod of Archbishop Chrysosostom II in 1986 considered Archbishop Auxentios deposed, in 1998 they rehabilitated him [[http://www.homb.org/archives/Archbishop%20Auxentios~Deposition~.pdf]]. Another group of bishops formerly under Archbishop Chrysostom II, but now known as the Lamian Synod presently under Archbishop Makarius also declared the deposition of Archbishop Auxentios uncanonical and void mainstream Orthodox on April 1/14, 1997.[[http://www.homb.org/archives/Lamia%20on%20Auxentios.pdf]]  After obtaining 2 bishops and two suffragan bishops, the group left the successor of Archbishop Auxentios, Archbishop Maximos, after they had deposed him for uncanonically consecrating two individuals Old Calendarists range from trying to heal the episcopate without the permission of the rest of the synod.[[http://www.homb.org/archives/Maximus%20defrockment.pdf]] They incorporporated themselves as Holy Orthodox Church in North America (HOCNA) in 1987. Currently the HOCNA synod, which in 2001 declared itself administratively independent of its extant mother Church various breaks in Greece, has five bishops.  From 1999 to 2001 the Lamian Synod approached HOCNA to establish full administrative unity, but this attempt failed for various reasons. [[http://www.homb.org/Archived_Docs_HTM/LamiansToHOCNA.pdf]][[User:Fr. Sergius|Fr. Sergius]] 15:27, January 10, 2007 (PST) '''The True ("Free") Russian Orthodox Church''': In 1994, the majority of the parishes of the Free Russian Orthodox Church (see above) broke communion with the ROCOR over their sudden inclination towards union with the Moscow Patriarchate, made manifest by their desire to "break apart" the Russian parishes. In time, a number of American parishes have joines the FROC, now known as the ROAC. In 2001, after the ROCOR made a clear commitment or concelebration to union with the Moscow Patriarchate, the head of the ROCOR synod, Metropolitan Vitaly, retired from the proceedings. Almost immediately afterwards, Metropolitan Vitaly, Archbishop Varnava of Cannes, and two of the Russian bishops of ROCOR, separated with the rest of the ROCOR synod and made new bishops. The proceedings outright declarations that led up to these events such groups are well documented on the Internet and the treatment of the retired head of the ROCOR has been regarded as shameful by many in the majority groupthemselves apostates, including allegations that Vitaly is unfit for service and is being used as a figurehead. Since then, Metropolitan Vitaly has headed the reorganized ROCOR from his home in Mansonville. Until recently, they were known as the [[Russian Orthodox Church in Exile]], having since returned to the original name of ROCOR in many documents. '''[[Russian no longer Orthodox Church in Exile|The Russian Church in Exile]]''': The Russian Church in Exile has since primarily split into three parts&mdash;the Russian Orthodox Church in Exile (North America), an independent European branch that the other branches to not accept, and the [[Russian True-Orthodox Church (Lazarus)|True Russian Orthodox Church in Russia]]. Both claim to be under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Vitaly. However, the Russian Church in Exile immediately made new bishops for Russia; most of the Russian parishes of the ROCOR are still under the RTOC. Most recently, in 2004, the community of [[Esphigmenou Monastery (Athos)|Esphigmenou]] (the sole monastery of the [[Mount Athos|Holy Mountain]] that still refuses to commemorate the Ecumenical Patriarch since the calendar change) has declared its recognition of Metropolitan Vitaly as the only possible legitimate First-Hierarch of ROCOR.

====Other groupings=Alternative Hierarchies===The amount of confusion among These churches refrain from both [[concelebration]] and [[full communion|communion]] with the remaining Russian True mainstream Orthodox parishes is not really worthy of notechurches, as most have almost no visible membership, though two groups regarding the hierarchies of historical value are the church under Ambrose (Von Sievers) official churches to have apostasized and the [[Seraphimo-Gennadite Orthodox Church]]placed themselves outside Orthodoxy. Questions about their legitimacy and ecclesiology aboundIn response, however, and due they have fully developed Synods in contrast to their small membershipthe official Church: for example, as there is an Archbishop of Athens, a serious question as rival Archbishop of Athens is elected to how much discussion such the see. With few exceptions, the Russian groups actually merithave not done the same due to the political climate, since they are usually reabsorbed into larger churches. Another new group that is worthy of note is although the [[Russian TrueRus-Orthodox Church (Vyacheslav)|Russian True-Orthodox Church (OC under Metropolitan Vyacheslav)]] which actually derives its episcopate from Damascene of Moscow claims jurisdiction over the territory of the [[Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church|Ukrainian Autocephalous Church]]Patriarch of Moscow.

===Other national churches===Other countries have been given True Orthodox hierarchies Such a claim is usually accompanied by the above groupsposition that the corresponding official body is completely [[schism]]atic.

====Romania=Churches "in resistance" or "walled off"===The history of True Orthodoxy in Romania has a rich history and goes back to 1924These churches refrain from [[concelebration]] with the mainstream Orthodox churches, but do not consider themselves schismatic, nor have they formally declared the mainstream churches without grace. Most In general, they set up alternative hierarchies that use the names of the faithful sees that are currently under not used by the omophor of Metropolitan Vlasie of Romania and his subordinate bishopsstate Church in question<ref>[http://www.synodinresistance.org/Theology_en/Resistance. Romania was given Bishops by the synod under Metropolitan Cyprian of Fili (see above)html]</ref>.

One parish It is under said that they would also communicate the Lamian Synod (see above)faithful of those churches after confession. A notable exception is the Old Calendar Orthodox Church of Romania, who receive members of the New Calendar Churches by Chrismation.

====Bulgaria==== The majority of the faithful are under the Cyprianites (see "Cyprian of Fili" above) and comprise a few dozen parishes, their bishop being Photios of Triaditsa. Two churches are under Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal, and two left with Bishop Gregory of Colorado during his departure. ====Georgia====In Georgia, dozens of [[monastics]] fled the official Patriarchate of Georgia in protest over [[ecumenism]] in 1998. HOCNA (see above) absorbed many of them, and they style themselves the [[True Orthodox Church of Georgia]]. They currently have no bishop and are administratively under North America. ====Ukraine====The situation in Ukraine deserves its own paper and is beyond the scope of this article. The churches there deserve mention, however, since most of the Russian groups have parishes in Ukraine (ROAC has two Bishops in Ukraine.) Worthy of note is the [[Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church]] (UAOC) under Metropolitan Methody Kuriakov; while the ecclesiology of the UAOC is not particularly firm, they consecrated bishops for at least one True Orthodox group in Russia. ====Italy==== In Italy there are four Jurisdictions dependes from the Florinates Tradition: - [[Holy Synod of Milan]] having a Tomos direcly from His Beatitude Avxentios I. His Head is His Divine Beatitude Evloghios I, Archbishop of Milan and Metropolitan of the Old Calendarist Church of Western Europe and America - there is a little Orthodox Church, havin the same apostolic succession of the Synod of Milan and called Autonomous Orthodox Church of Gaul Cisalpine headed by His Eminence Metropolita Volodymir. The others groups are the Synod of resistence an the Synod of Metropolotan Antonio De Rosso an by His Eminence Exarc Silvano (Synod of Resistence). ==Churches "in resistance"==These churches refrain from [[concelebration]] with the mainstream Orthodox churches, but do not consider themselves [[schism]]atic, nor have they declared a break in [[full communion|communion]] with the mainstream churches. They will also commune the faithful of those churches. * [[Holy Synod in Resistance]] ("Cyprianites"), a [[Florinites|Florinite]] church* [[Old Calendar Orthodox Church of Romania]]* [[Old Calendar Orthodox Church of Bulgaria]] ==True Orthodox Churches - directly founded listed by T.O.C. of Greece (H.B.Avxentios)== * [[Holy Synod of Milan]] ==Churches which are "walled off"=Country or Jurisdiction=These churches refrain from both [[concelebration]] and [[full communion|communion]] with the mainstream Orthodox churches, regarding the hierarchies of the official churches to have apostasized and placed themselves outside Orthodoxy. The view of these Old Calendarists, commonly self-designated as "True Orthodox" towards official Orthodox priests and laity varies.

**[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Florinite)]] ("Chrysostomite | Synod"), under of Archbishop Chrysostom Kallinikos of Athens]]**[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Florinate)| Makarian/Lamian Synod]] ("Avxentios II Synod"), Under Avxentios II of Athens**[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Lamian Holy Synod in Resistance| Cyprianite Synod)]], under Archbishop Makarios of Athens''

**[[True Orthodox Church of Greece (Matthewite)| Synod of Archbishop Nicholas]], under Archbishop Nicholas of Athens**[[Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (Matthewite)]], under | Synod of Metropolitan Gregory of Messinia]]

===RussiaRomania===*[[Russian Old Calendar Orthodox Autonomous Church]], FROC/ROAC ("Suzdalites"), under Metropolitan Valentin of Suzdal*[[Seraphimo-Gennadite Orthodox Church]], under Metropolitan Theodosie*[[Russian True-Orthodox Church (Lazarus)]], under Archbishop Lazarus of Tambov*[[Russian True-Orthodox Church (Vyatcheslav)Romania]], under Metropolitan Vyatcheslav''

===AmericaBulgaria===*[[Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church in America]], the FROC/ROAC in the United States of America*[[Russian Orthodox Church in Exile]] (ROCE), also known as ROCOR (V), under Metropolitan Vitaly of Montreal*[[Genuine Orthodox Church of America]], under Archbishop Gregory of Denver*[[Genuine Greek Old Calendar Orthodox Church of AmericaBulgaria]], under Metropolitan Pavlos of Astoria, the "Chrysostomite" Metropolitan Diocese for America*[[Holy Orthodox Church in North America]] (HOCNA), under Metropolitan Makarios of Toronto''

===ElsewhereNorth America===These are the dioceses of larger Synods in North America:*[[True Genuine Greek Orthodox Church of GeorgiaAmerica]], Metropolitan Diocese of America (Synod of Archbishop Chrysostom)*[http://ctosonline.org The Center For Traditionalist Orthodox Studies:]Spiritual and monastic center for the Synod in Resistance in the U.S.*[http://www.orthodox-christianity.net/ Matthewite Parishes in America under Abp Nicholas of Athens]*[http://www.genuineorthodoxchurch.net/america.html Matthewite Parishes in America under Metr Kirykos of Mesogaia]

==Ecclesiastical =Groups claiming "Autonomous" statuswithin America===The ecclesiastical and canonical status of the various Old Calendarist jurisdictions is complex. Some regard themselves as being the only true Orthodox Christians and thus view the mainstream Orthodox Church as being in apostasy. As such, they do not share either communion or concelebration with the mainstream These are bodies which claimed independence from their parent churches. Other Old Calendarists (typically those "in resistance") have suspended concelebrations with mainstream clergy, but will still commune the faithful of mainstream jurisdictions. They thus see themselves as a reform movement within the *[[Genuine Orthodox Church. The question of canonicity follows much the same sort America]], under Archbishop Gregory of patterns.Denver

*[http://www.geocitiesorthodoxchristianbooks.com/joesuaidendownloads/trueorthodox/trueorthodoxchurch234_NEW_ZION_IN_BABYLON_PART_2.html The True pdf| Vladimir Moss, ''New Zion in Babylon: A History of the Orthodox Churchthroughout the World in the Twentieth Century'' (2010), Part II]*[http://www.orthodoxchristianbooks.com/downloads/217_NEW_ZION_IN_BABYLON_PART_3.pdf| Vladimir Moss, ''New Zion in Babylon: A Brief Overview] History of the Orthodox Church throughout the World in the Twentieth Century'' (major portions of text used by permission2010), Part III]

*[http://orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/anti-patristic-stance-old-calendarist-zealots.aspx Anti-Patristic: The Stance of the Zealot Old Calendarists] by Monk Basil of the Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory (Grigoriou), Mount Athos* [http://www.cnewa.org/ecc-bodypg.aspx?eccpageID=53&IndexView=toc Eastern Christian Churches: The Old Calendar Orthodox Churches] by Ronald Roberson, a Roman Catholic priest and scholar=General Information===

* [http://www.euphrosynoscafe.com/ The Euphrosynos Café: A Portal and Forum for all Old Calendar Orthodox Churches] by Father Nikolai Stanosheck, a [[Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church|ROAC]] deacon

===JurisdictionsOfficial Websites===* [http://www.roac.ru/ Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church]* [http://www.roacusa.org/ Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church in America]* [http://www.ecclesiagoc.gr/ Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece], official | Official website of Chrysostomite the Synod** [http://www.thegreekorthodoxchurch.com/ Genuine Greek Orthodox Church of AmericaArchbishop Chrysostom of Athens], diocesan website of the Metropolis of America (Chrysostomite) * [http://www.ortodoxakyrkansynodinresistance.seorg/ Swedish Exarchate Official website of the Holy Synod in Resistance]* [http://digilander.libero.it/jaroslavl/ T.O.C.]